1. Good Luck from all the staff at HGCSC.
HGCSC Exams & Revision
Some Top Tips to help you succeed in the final stage of your education at HGCSC.
We Know you can do it! Believe in your ability, work hard to succeed and ask for help if you need it.
Good Luck from all the staff at HGCSC.

3. GCSE Exam Period
April 2015 – June 2015

4. Where can I get help with exams?
Subject teacher / subject leader
Head of year
Key Stage Manager
Tutor
Mentor
Parents / Carers
Peers / friends
Websites / internet / revision booklets
‘He who does not ask a question learns nothing.’
(Swahili Proverb)

6. You should use a variety of revision techniques
Preparation
Know what the test/ exam involves
Make a revision timetable and stick to it.
Look at revision sites on the internet.
Coping
Reward yourself for completing sections of revision
Break revision down into manageable chunks
Ask for help with anything you don’t understand
Take regular breaks.

7. Top Tips for good time management

8. Work in short bursts - no more than an hour at a time 4 Prioritise
5 Stay alert
Work in short bursts - no more than an hour at a time
4 Prioritise
Organise your work into 'date required' order
3 The right place
Don't waste time trying to work in a place with too many distractions - find a good place to work.
2 Reward yourself
When you finish a task, give yourself a treat.
1 Be SMART
Set achievable, targets that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound

9. 9. Be organised 7. Plan ahead
Have the right equipment for doing the right task. Don't waste time having to search for things
8. Tomorrow V today
Don't keep putting things off
7. Plan ahead
Decide in advance when you are going to do each piece of work
6 Make it manageable
Break down long tasks into smaller sections

11. Top Tips for making a revision timetable

12. Revision Timetable.
Planning a timetable helps you to get organised and you can see just what time you have available to revise. (You might be surprised.)
Sticking to this plan for a few weeks will help you to get higher marks in your exams. One weeks worth of revision will have little impact on your results.
Have your plan visible where you can see it every day.
Colour code different subjects so you can see how much time you are spending on each subject.

13. Revision Timetable.
Write on when you can also have free time. It is still possible!
It is possible to do revision in the morning. Some people get up early and could spend 20 – 30 minutes revising a subject.
If you are revising in lessons listen carefully and take advantage of the extra time studying the subject.
Find a quiet space at lunch and do some revision with your friends.
Use all your time wisely – DON’T WASTE IT!

14. Example Revision Timetable
Mon
Tues
Wed
Thurs
Fri
Sat
Sun
7am
Breakfast
8am
school TV
French
9am
English
Break
10am
11am
Maths
12pm
lunch
Lunch
1pm
Science
Geography
2pm
3pm
History
4pm
Tea & TV
Trampolining
Drama club
Tea
5pm
Football
Homework
6pm
Technology
Out
7pm RE
8pm
out

15. Example Revision Timetable
My Exams are on:
Name:
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
7.00 am
8.00 am
9.00 am
10.00 am
11.00 am
12.00 pm
1.00 pm
2.00 pm
3.00 pm
4.00 pm
5.00 pm
6.00 pm
7.00 pm
8.00 pm

18. Top Tips for different revision techniques There is no right or wrong way to revise but there are lots of different ways to do it...

19. Revision Techniques Practice using past paper questions
Make notes on key ideas
Make a mind map, poster, diagram, chart or cartoon
Record your key ideas and play them back
Test each other
Highlight key points in your notes
Talk about key ideas with a family member or friend

20. Are you ready to revise? Good study conditions
Concentration is easier if you
create the best possible conditions for study.
You should study alone if possible –
free from distractions and interruptions.
You should be in comfortable surroundings - with all your study materials to hand.

21. Practise for success
Lots of your study tasks will become easier - as you practise more.
Be prepared to advance slowly at first. Be prepared for 'bad days' and problems.
There is no magic formula - only regular work.
Every time you are tempted to give up - give it one more go instead.
Successful people are often those who practise more - like athletes, musicians, and even film stars.
Each time you complete a study session, you will know a little more. This will help you to feel more confident.

22. How to take notes What to record
Notes are a shortened version of some information.
You should choose only the main points from the original information.
Don't try to record all of the source materials.
Show the difference between the main points and any examples.

23. Structure Use headings and sub-headings for separate sections.
Use letters, numbers, or indentation to identify individual items/topics.
Keep the items/topics separate: this makes them easier to see.
Many people have good visual memory. Clear layout helps recall of details.

24. Build in clarity
Listen, read, or watch closely, thinking carefully about the subject.
Decide which parts will be most useful.
Convert the original material into your own words. This
will help you to remember it at a later date.

25. Layout Write as clearly as possible. Leave spaces between each topic.
Use a system of numbered points. This helps to keep one point distinct from another.
Don't use continuous writing.
Don't write in complete sentences.
Don't string points together.
Write on one side of page only.

26. Some people devise their own personal code of abbreviations and signs.
Brevity
Write incomplete sentences. These are notes - not finished writing.
Miss out any words which are not important.
Use abbreviations wherever possible.
You can also use mathematical symbols such as + = < & >
Use diagrams, graphs, or pictures where possible.
Some people devise their own personal code of abbreviations and signs.

27. Storage Keep notes in a loose-leaf binder or a pocket file.
Use coloured dividers to keep sections separate.
The loose-leaf method allows you to add new notes without trouble.
You can also re-write pages, and add diagrams or pictures.
Some people prefer small index cards by compressing your notes for revision (ideal to take with you when you are out!).
Keep things separate, with clear labels for easy recall.

28. Keep it simple. Mnemonics need to be short, sharp, and effective.
Mnemonics can help you to recall information. You remember one thing by means of another.
For instance, the notes in music are (on the lines) E,G,B,D,F and (in the spaces) F,A,C,E.
You can remember these as 'Every Good Boy Deserves Favour' and the single word 'FACE'.
Keep it simple. Mnemonics need to be short, sharp, and effective.

29. Layout – (mind maps, posters, diagrams, charts or cartoons)
Lots of people have a very visual memory.
You remember the shape of words on a page, or things which have been written as symbols or pictures.
The clear layout of your notes may help you to remember the contents.
You might remember complex topics if they are presented in a simple visual manner.

30. Practice past papers De-mystify exams by looking at past papers.
Choose a question, and make an outline plan for an answer.
Do this in your own time, at your own pace.
Then see how much you can write in half an hour.
The more experience you have of tackling questions, the less nervous you will feel.
Repeat this sort of preparation, and you will feel more comfortable

31. Study groups Why not revise together with some of your friends?
Many of them will have the same fears and problems as you.
Discuss your feelings with each other, and learn from what the others say.
You can test yourselves by posing each other questions. Turn your revision into a fun quiz.
Study groups can help you feel less nervous.
There is nothing wrong in working along with other people.
This is not 'cheating' - it's learning!

32. ‘We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that thing, at whatever cost, must be attained.’
Marie Curie

34. Top Tips for success during the exam...

35. Leave time to review. Make sure you haven't made any silly mistakes.
Get some sleep the night before the exam. It's too late to do any worthwhile revision at that stage and a late night session will burn up the mental energy you will need the next day
Plan out your time in the exam. If there are 4 30-minute questions make sure you spend the same amount of time on each one.
Read the questions several times. Don't answer until you are sure what they're asking. Circle or underline the key parts to questions.
When time is up, finish and forget. Concentrate on any other exams you may have. Stay focused.
Make sure you have everything you need for the exam. Always have one or more spare pens.
Draft your answers. A few minutes of preparation will help you to improve your performance
Leave time to review. Make sure you haven't made any silly mistakes.
Make sure you know exactly when and where your exams are well in advance - arrive early.
Know where the marks in each question are and focus on those sections that carry the most.
Exam Technique

37. Reminders Plenty of revision
Eat breakfast, have a drink and get plenty of sleep the night before.
Arrive on time / early
Be prepared with equipment: 2x BLACK pens, pencil, ruler, rubber, colours & calculator when necessary. (All must be in a clear pencil case)

38. Reminders Water in a clear bottle, all labels removed.
Correct uniform worn correctly.
Mobile phones / smart devices MUST be handed in and turned off.
Calm & quiet waiting outside the exam room.
No talking once you enter the exam room.

39. ‘Don’t be afraid of hard work. Nothing worthwhile comes easily’
Gertrude B Elion.